Defibrillator is back

A potentially life saving defibrillator has been installed in Sutton town centre thanks to big-hearted Rotary Club members.

When the members of Sutton in Ashfield Rotary Club learned that the Defibrillator on Portland Square, had gone missing the club decided that it would pay for a replacement.

The top of the range £2,500 machine has been donated in memory of well-loved Sutton Rotarian Tom King.

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Phil Bustin of Sutton in Ashfield Rotary Club said: “A few months ago, the Rotary Club of Sutton in Ashfield heard that the defibrillator in Portland Square had gone missing and one of our members, John Pearce, proposed that we raised the funds to replace it.

“The previous one had been used during an emergency and an ambulance was called, but for some reason it went missing after that and we were unable to find out where.

“The club agreed, and John put a lot of work into liaising with the defibrillator supplier and Ashfield District Council and, thanks to an anonymous donation, within a very short time we were able to buy the latest model.

“It is now in place in its cabinet, ready for use when the need arises.

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The members of the Rotary Club decided that they would like to donate the defibrillator in memory of a well-loved Rotarian Tom King, who died just over two years ago.

Mr Bustin said: “Tom was universally popular and everyone who knew him loved him.”

He was the Head at Sutton Centre for a number of years, during which time he became a member of Rotary.

Tom was a magistrate for many years and was also heavily involved with the John Eastwood Hospice.

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He was for some time, the Chair of the trustees there and in latter years was made an honorary vice chair in recognition of his valuable service to the Hospice.

The defibrillator was unveiled by Mr King’s widow Janice.

Mr Bustin added: “Of course we hope the defibrillator will never have a need to be used but it is good to know that something is there in the centre of Sutton.

It has full instructions and when you dial 999 t get the code a recording will tell you exactly what to do.”